We will pass over two years, during which Dick ceased to be an office
boy and became one of the most gentlemanly clerks in Mr. Bacon's
store. His knickerbockers disappeared the day after the conversation he
had with his sister, as detailed in the previous chapter, and he made
his appearance at the store in a new suit of clothes, which so changed
him that the boss and clerks hardly recognized him at first. The change
developed a new line of witticism on the part of his young friends, but
Dick took the bull by the horns in so energetic a way that the funny
lads shut up in short order.
Dick now felt that he was a real man, except in years, and during the
ensuing two years he deported himself along that line, and was made a
clerk before the merchant had expected to raise him to that dignity;
but the fact was when the knickerbockers went to the scrap heap Mr.
Bacon decided that he looked too old to continue as his office boy,
hence his promotion. During these two years Dick visited the Masons
several times--spending the Christmas holidays with them twice, the
Easter week-end once, and two weeks in each summer.
Thanksgiving was now approaching and he had received an invitation
to come down and spend the interval between Wednesday afternoon till
Monday morning, and Mr. Bacon very graciously gave him permission to do
so. Dick was very glad to visit the Masons, not alone because he always
received a royal welcome from the family as a whole, but because Madge
Mason was now "sweet sixteen," and growing more charming every day.
The fact that Madge was heiress to all her parents' worldly goods had
really no bearing on his feelings toward the pretty miss. Of course it
was nice to think that her future was provided for, but Dick liked her
for herself alone, just as she entertained the same feelings toward
him. Their friendship was firmly established, and both were never so
happy as when together. Perhaps the fact that they were together so
seldom, and then only for a short time, enhanced the feeling each felt
toward the other. Presumedly the girl's father and mother noticed the
growing interest that existed between their daughter and the young
New York clerk. Certainly they put no obstacles in the young people's
way, which may be taken as evidence that they approved of it. Madge's
aunt had a clearer insight into the matter than any one else, because
the girl made a confidante of her. The Mason automobile was at the
railroad station in Carlin waiting for Dick, who had written that he
would come by express which left Jersey City at five-thirty. In the
auto, besides the gardener, who acted as chauffeur, sat Miss Madge, in
a warm gown trimmed with fur, while her pretty head was adorned with a
bewitching fur cap, tilted on one side. The train came in on time and
Dick jumped off with other passengers, carrying a small suit-case in
his hand. Madge saw him at once and waved her handkerchief at him. Dick
saw the signal, recognized the girl, and lost no time in reaching the
automobile.
"This is quite an honor, Miss Madge," said Dick, raising his derby and
stepping in beside his charmer.
"Really, do you think so?" replied Madge, as the gardener started off.
"I certainly do. I never dreamed I should have so charming a companion
on my ride to the house," he replied gallantly.
"Dear me, you say that awfully nice," returned the girl blushingly.
"How are your mother and sisters?"
Dick assured her that they were quite well, and then asked after Mr.
and Mrs. Mason and Miss Woods, the aunt.
"They're very well, indeed," said Madge.
"And how is Cleopatra?" asked Dick, who felt that so important a member
of the family as Madge's pet cat must not be overlooked lest he incur
the young lady's displeasure.
"Oh, Cleo is all right. She is really getting cuter every day."
"Can she stand on her head yet?" chuckled Dick.
"Of course not," said Madge. "Who ever heard of cats standing on their
heads?"
Dick laughed and the conversation changed to another subject, during
which they were whirled over the three miles of road and landed at the
front door of the country house where Mr. Mason was on hand to welcome
Dick. Next morning after breakfast Dick took a stroll over to his
property, more for the exercise of walking than anything else, for he
had viewed his five-acre plot often enough to know its layout by heart;
besides, the month of November was a poor time to look at country land,
which was wearing a wintry aspect. A lot of young trees had started
growing over a part of his land, and at the edge of this section he was
surprised to see a small wooden hut and round it two good-sized tents.
It looked as if a family of squatters had camped upon his property. He
saw a couple of small children playing around the door of the hut, and
from its stovepipe smoke was floating upward.
"I like their nerve taking possession of my place," he thought, as he
leaned over the fence and looked.
A young woman with a bright-colored shawl over her head and shoulders
came out of the hut with a tin pail in her hand and went in the
direction of a spring. Then Dick noticed a covered wagon of the prairie
schooner kind, and beside it another rude, oblong building. He wondered
that Mr. Mason hadn't told him about these free tenants, who had
apparently taken root there for the winter at least. Curious to find
out something about them, he got over the fence and walked toward the
camp. A rough-looking man came out of one of the tents, with a pipe in
his mouth, and looked at him. Dick walked up to him and asked him what
he and the rest of the bunch were doing there.
"We are gypsies," replied the man, who was dark skinned and sported a
black mustache. "We are camping here till next spring."
"Got permission to stay from the owner?" asked Dick.
A peculiar smile flickered about the man's mouth.
"We never ask permission. Why should we? The earth was made for all. We
are only occupying a small part of it for the time being when the land
is of no use to anybody."
"Then you have settled here as a sort of winter quarters. During the
rest of the year you travel about the country, eh?"
The man nodded.
"We travel from place to place, staying as long as we choose. You do
not look like a country boy. You have come here from some town or city."
"That's right. I belong in New York. It happens, however, that I own
this piece of property."
"You do?" said the man, with an accent on the "you," looking Dick over
curiously.
"Yes."
"You object to our being here, perhaps?" said the gypsy, with a frown.
"On, no, as long as you intend to start off in the spring."
"What is your name?"
"Richard Darling. What's yours?"
"Hugh Blacklock."
"You're the boss of this outfit, I suppose?"
The gypsy shook his head.
"Miriam is the head of our branch. There are seven of us, besides the
children."
"Miriam!" said Dick. "That's a woman's name."
The man nodded.
"What's her other name?"
"That is the name she goes by. Perhaps you would like to see her? If
you cross her palm with a piece of silver she will tell your fortune."
"I suppose that's the way you live--by telling fortunes?"
"That and selling fancywork. Come, I will introduce you to Miriam."
As Dick was curious to see the woman who was at the head of this small
tribe of gypsies, he followed his conductor, and was taken into the
hut. Miriam proved to be a woman of middle age, whose features were
not unpleasant. She had raven black hair streaming down her back, and
an eye as dark as a sloe. Her attire was shabby, with the exception
of a bright-colored shawl worn carelessly across her shoulders. The
man spoke to her in a strange tongue, and she regarded Dick with some
attention.
"You are a brave-looking boy," she said. "Shall I tell your fortune?
Come, cross my hand with silver, and I will see what the future holds
in store for you."
Dick wasn't particularly curious about his future, and he rather
doubted the ability of the woman to foretell anything of importance.
However, he concluded to help the tribe along to the extent of a silver
quarter, so he pulled the coin out and placed it in her hand.
"Your left hand," she said.
Dick presented it. She pored over the lines and mounds, which palmistry
teaches mean so much, for a minute or more before speaking again.
"You were born of parents in moderate circumstances, and you are the
youngest of four children," she said.
"That's hitting the mark pretty close," he thought. "I wonder how she
can get that out of my hand?"
"One of your parents is dead," she continued, "and it seems to be your
father."
"Another good guess," thought Dick.
"You had to go to work young, about your fourteenth year."
"That's right," admitted the boy. "Maybe you can tell me what business
I am engaged in?"
"It is something genteel--a clerk in a store or office. You have been
in danger twice within the last three years from evil-disposed persons.
You are fated to make many friends, some of whom will help you forward
in life, but your success will make enemies--you have already made
three, two of whom have had something to do with the peril in which
you have been placed. Since then life has run smoother with you, but
beware, there is trouble hanging over you now."
"Trouble!" exclaimed Dick. "I see none ahead."
"Trouble comes when we are not looking for it."
"Well, give me a pointer on it. You ought to be able to tip me off how
to get out of it."
"Beware of a tall, dark man and a short, light woman."
"That's rather indefinite."
"There is a connection between them and your business."
"My business, eh? This is getting interesting."
The woman frowned and changed the subject.
"You have a sweetheart and you are closer to her now than usual. She is
the bright star of your life--whom you will marry. Three children will
bless your marriage, and you will pass a large part of your life in the
country."
"If you see all that in my hand, it is quite clear that the trouble you
say is hanging over me now will not lay me out."
"You will always triumph over your enemies, but they will do you much
harm. Fortune will soon smile on you. You are about to come into
possession of riches."
"Where am I going to get it? I have no such expectation."
"Good luck, like trouble, often comes upon us unaware. At this moment
you are close to a fortune in money."
"The dickens I am! I'm afraid you're making a mistake there."
"It is so written in your hand and will come to pass."
She dropped Dick's hand and the seance was over.
"Your hand is, on the whole, a lucky one," she said. "The fates smiled
on you at your birth. Favorable planets were in happy aspect. Saturn
alone casts its malignant influence across your life's path, but will
not prevail."
With a sweep of her arm toward the door, Dick understood that he was
dismissed, and he walked back to the house somewhat impressed by what
he had learned.